1._Masters, what is just_. He mentions first, _what is just_, by which term he expresses that kindness, as to which he has given injunction in the Epistle to the Ephesians. (Ephesians 6:8.) But as masters, looking down as it were from aloft, despise the condition of servants, so that they think that... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Continue in prayer_. He returns to general exhortations, in which we must not expect an exact order, for in that case he would have begun with prayer, but Paul had not an eye to that. Farther, as to prayer, he commends here two things; _first_, assiduity; _secondly_, alacrity, or earnest intentne... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Pray also for us_. He does not say this by way of pretense, but because, being conscious to himself of his own necessity, he was earnestly desirous to be aided by their prayers, and was fully persuaded that they would be of advantage to them. Who then, in the present day, would dare to despise th... [ Continue Reading ]
4._As I ought_. This clause sets forth more strongly the difficulty, for he intimates that it is no ordinary matter. In the Epistle to the Ephesians, (Ephesians 6:20,) he adds, ἵνα παῤῥησιάσωμαι, (_that I may speak boldly_,) from which it appears that he desired for himself an undaunted confidence,... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Walk wisely. _He makes mention of _those that are without_, in contrast with those that are of the _household of faith_. (Galatians 6:10.) For the Church is like a city of which all believers are the inhabitants, connected with each other by a mutual relationship, while unbelievers are strangers.... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Your speech_. He requires suavity of speech, such as may allure the hearers by its profitableness, for he does not merely condemn communications that are openly wicked or impious, but also such as are worthless and idle. Hence he would have them _seasoned with salt_. Profane men have their season... [ Continue Reading ]
7_My things. _That the Colossians may know what concern he has for them, he confirms them, by giving them, in a manner, a pledge. For although he was in prison, and was in danger of his life, making care for himself a secondary matter, he consults for their interests by sending Tychicus to them. In... [ Continue Reading ]
He adds, _Onesimus_, that the embassy may have the more weight. It is, however, uncertain who this Onesimus was. For it can scarcely be believed that this is the slave of Philemon, inasmuch as the name of a thief and a fugitive would have been liable to reproach. (476) He distinguishes both of them... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Fellow-prisoner. _From this it appears that there were others that were associated with Paul, (477) after he was brought to Rome. It is also probable that his enemies exerted themselves, in the outset, to deter all pious persons from giving him help, by threatening them with the like danger, and... [ Continue Reading ]
11._These only are fellow-workers, _— that is, of the circumcision; for he afterwards names others, but they were of the uncircumcision. He means, therefore, that there were few Jews at Rome who shewed themselves to be helpers to the gospel, nay more, that the whole nation was opposed to Christ. At... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Always striving. _Here we have an example of a good pastor, whom distance of place cannot induce to forget the Church, so as to prevent him from taking the care of it with him beyond the sea. We must notice, also, the strength of entreaty that is expressed in the word _striving_. For although the... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Luke saluteth you. _I do not agree with those who understand this to be Luke the Evangelist; for I am of opinion that he was too well known to stand in need of such a designation, and he would have been signalized by a more magnificent eulogium. He would, undoubtedly, have called him his fellow-... [ Continue Reading ]
When he speaks of the Church which was in the house of Nymphas, let us bear in mind, that, in the instance of one household, a rule is laid down as to what it becomes all Christian households to be — that they be so many little Churches. (480) Let every one, therefore, know that this charge is laid... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Let it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans. _Hence, though it was addressed to the Colossians, it was, nevertheless, necessary that it should be profitable to others. The same view must also be taken of all the Epistles. They were indeed, in the first instance, addressed to particular Church... [ Continue Reading ]
17_Say to Archippus. _So far as I can conjecture, this Archippus was, in the mean time, discharging the office of pastor, during the absence of Epaphras; but perhaps he was not of such a disposition as to be sufficiently diligent of himself without being stirred up. Paul, accordingly, would have him... [ Continue Reading ]